19 January 2025
Domestic Violence NSW (DVNSW), the peak body for specialist domestic and family violence services in the state, is calling on the NSW Government for an immediate 50% ($163 million) increase in baseline funding to address the escalating domestic and family violence (DFV).
Despite alarming statistics, NSW continues to have one of the lowest per-capita spends on domestic and family violence services in Australia.
“Each life lost represents a failure of our systems to protect and support those at risk. In the scheme of things, we really aren’t asking for much, we’re just asking for the sector to be resourced to do the lifesaving work they do,” says Delia Donovan, CEO, DVNSW
The growing need for specialist domestic and family violence services has significantly widened the gap between supply and demand.
DVNSW Member, Neesha Eckersley from Women’s Community Shelters, reported a rise in unaccommodated clients from 60% in 2022-23 to 96% in 2023-24, meaning women are forced to choose between homelessness or returning to the abuse.
“Every day, we are confronted with this awful reality of having to turn away women and children who have made that difficult decision to leave because we simply don’t have the resources to support them. I wouldn’t wish that decision on anyone and certainly no one should ever be left without the help they need to be safe.”
DVNSW acknowledges the importance of the NSW Government’s previous emergency package of $230 million over four years to improve responses to domestic, family, and sexual violence, as a welcomed first step. However, with the crisis worsening, it’s important to move beyond this and commit to sustained and increased investment in the sector.
“Ending violence costs money, but not investing is costing lives,” Donovan added, “we urge the NSW Government to act decisively and provide the necessary funding to support the services that are saving lives every day.”